15/05/2026
Congratulations to the 2026 UCA Change Leadership Award Winners!
Award winners will be recognized at the Change Leadership Back-To-School celebration taking place on Friday, August 14, 2026, at Buffalo Alumni Hall.
Doctoral Excellence Award – Dr. Ashley Cooksey (Dec ’25)
We are proud to award the 2026 UCA Change Leadership Doctoral Excellence Award to Dr. Ashley Cooksey. As an Assistant Professor and Program Director at Arkansas Tech University and a distinguished alumna of the UCA Change Leadership PhD program, Dr. Cooksey has demonstrated unparalleled scholarly rigor. Her dissertation, regarded by her chair as one of the strongest in the program’s history, utilizes a sophisticated phenomenological approach to dismantle misconceptions within school librarianship. By illustrating that school librarians are courageous advocates rather than risk-averse practitioners, her research bridges critical gaps between educational policy and library science. Dr. Cooksey’s work not only offers vital insights into the structural requirements for educational justice but also serves as a definitive model for excellence in scholarly inquiry and transformative leadership.
Doctoral Research Award – Jessica Kitchens
We are honored to present the 2026 UCA Change Leadership Doctoral Research Award to Jessica C. Kitchens for her groundbreaking work at the intersection of leadership, mental health, and Indigenous perspectives. A dedicated therapist, author, and advocate based in Northwest Arkansas, Jessica brings over 18 years of clinical expertise and her own lived experience as a late-diagnosed autistic individual to her scholarly pursuits. Her dissertation, "Potawatomi Perspectives on Autism: Decolonizing Neurodiversity," exemplifies change leadership by challenging traditional frameworks and advocating for decolonial, strength-based practices that prioritize autistic autonomy. As the owner of two private clinics specializing in neurodiversity-affirming care, Jessica’s research is not merely theoretical but a vital call to action for more inclusive and culturally resonant mental health systems. We celebrate her commitment to advocacy and her profound contributions to the field of neurodiversity.
Doctoral Community Leadership Concentration Award – Freddie Broome
We are pleased to present the 2026 Change Leadership Doctoral Community Leadership Award to Freddie Broome. With 30 years of experience in local government and a current role at the Georgia Municipal Association, Freddie exemplifies visionary leadership through his dedication to educating elected officials on community and workplace culture. His research addresses a critical gap in leadership scholarship by examining how Black female mayors maintain effectiveness while navigating the pressures of heightened scrutiny and racial and gender biases. By centering the voices of these leaders and documenting their strategies for success, Freddie’s work provides a vital framework for preparing and supporting diverse leaders in the public sector. We honor him for his commitment to empowering underrepresented perspectives and for his tireless efforts to dismantle systemic challenges in community leadership.
Doctoral Digital Age Concentration Award – Dr. Nashwa Elkoshairi (Dec ’25)
We are delighted to recognize Dr. Nashwa Elkoshairi as the recipient of the 2026 Change Leadership Doctoral Digital Age Concentration Award. As a seasoned learning experience designer and systems-level leader, Dr. Elkoshairi has dedicated over a decade to driving programmatic impact across EdTech and professional development sectors. Her research, anchored by her PhD in Change Leadership, explores how learner-centered design and inclusive pedagogies, such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL), transform performance from mere completion to meaningful, long-term outcomes. By translating complex learning science into actionable strategies for virtual and blended environments, Dr. Elkoshairi empowers educators and organizational leaders to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. We celebrate her expertise in performance-based design and her commitment to fostering empathetic, systems-level change.
Doctoral K-12 Leadership Concentration Award – Dr. Rainbow Bagsby (May ’26)
We are honored to recognize Dr. Rainbow Bagsby as the recipient of the 2026 Change Leadership Doctoral K-12 Leadership Concentration Award. Dr. Bagsby, who serves as the UX Design Specialist for Virtual Arkansas, brings 18 years of educational expertise to her groundbreaking research on the intersection of technology and student autonomy. Her quantitative study of over 300 secondary-level online Spanish learners provides a timely and critical analysis of how AI chatbot engagement interacts with self-regulated learning and academic achievement. By highlighting the necessity of explicit AI literacy and purposeful pedagogical integration, Dr. Bagsby’s work offers a vital roadmap for practitioners and policymakers in an era of rapidly expanding virtual instruction. We celebrate her dedication to innovation and her significant contributions to enhancing the success of K-12 online learners.
Doctoral Literacy Leadership Concentration Award – Kelly Ash (Summer ‘26)
We are proud to celebrate Kelly Ash as the recipient of the 2026 Change Leadership Doctoral Literacy Leadership Concentration Award. A doctoral candidate and certified Dyslexia Interventionist, Kelly expertly bridges the gap between rigorous research and practical application in the classroom. Her dissertation explores how secondary teachers conceptualize word recognition through the lenses of Distributed Leadership Theory and the Simple View of Reading—a critical area for advancing adolescent literacy. Serving as a Literacy Resource Teacher and instructional coach in Colorado, Kelly has become a vital advocate for the Science of Reading, mentoring educators and coordinating essential district programs and grants. We honor her for her sophisticated leadership and her tireless dedication to improving literacy outcomes for all students.
Doctoral Higher Education Leadership Concentration Award – Marta Collier-Youngblood
We are proud to honor Marta Collier-Youngblood as the recipient of the 2026 Change Leadership Doctoral Higher Education Leadership Concentration Award. As the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Social Justice at Tougaloo College, Marta has become a driving force for organizational innovation and institutional growth. Her work focuses on building robust research capacities and fostering strategic partnerships that ensure long-term sustainability for emerging institutions. Marta’s unique ability to merge high-level academic scholarship with professional practice allows her to advocate effectively for social justice and institutional effectiveness. We celebrate her unwavering commitment to advancing equitable systems that expand opportunities and empower the next generation of scholars within the higher education landscape.
Outstanding Doctoral Chair Award – Dr. Jessica Herring-Watson & Dr. Taine Duncan
We are proud to announce that Dr. Jessica Herring-Watson, Assistant Professor of Teaching and Learning, has been named the recipient of the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Chair Award. This prestigious honor recognizes her exceptional commitment to mentorship, academic rigor, and the professional development of her doctoral candidates. Known for her ability to balance high scholarly expectations with unwavering support, Dr. Herring-Watson has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of researchers and practitioners. Her dedication to fostering an inclusive and intellectually stimulating environment has not only led to the successful defense of numerous high-impact dissertations but has also left a lasting legacy on the academic community at UCA. Please join us in celebrating her remarkable achievements and her profound impact on student success.
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Taine Duncan, Professor and Chair of Philosophy and Religion at the University of Central Arkansas, is a recipient of the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Chair Award. Dr. Duncan is widely recognized for her transformative approach to mentorship, blending deep philosophical inquiry with a practical, student-centered focus. Her guidance has been instrumental in helping doctoral candidates navigate the complexities of their research while finding their unique scholarly voices. By championing critical thinking and fostering a collaborative academic culture, Dr. Duncan has consistently empowered her students to reach the highest levels of excellence. We celebrate her tireless dedication to her students’ success and her significant contributions to the graduate community at UCA.
Outstanding Doctoral Mentor Award – Dr. Louis Nadelson
We are delighted to recognize Dr. Louis Nadelson, Professor in the Department of Leadership Studies at the University of Central Arkansas, as the recipient of the Outstanding Doctoral Mentor Award. Dr. Nadelson is distinguished by his scholarly contributions and his genuine investment in the holistic growth of his students. Beyond technical expertise, he provides the vital encouragement and professional networking opportunities that bridge the gap between doctoral study and a successful career. His "student-first" philosophy and his ability to inspire curiosity have made him an invaluable asset to the UCA graduate faculty. We honor Dr. Nadelson for his exemplary leadership and for his dedication to cultivating the scholars of tomorrow.
